Harbor Nail House — Attraction in Baltimore

EDIT. Thank you for your response and apology, HN — I receive it.

Yes, it took me a while to write the review (and even respond to you) because I don’t take leaving low-star reviews lightly. I always try to lead with grace, and I shared my experience as kindly as I could.

The timing of the cancellation/change was difficult, especially given how important the next day was for me. I acknowledge reaching out late, but you accepted me. The last-minute changes left me flustered.

I appreciate you sharing your side hand to heart and wish you continued success.

Now that both perspectives are shared, hopefully future clients can book with clarity. Fair? END EDIT.

Thank you for coming to my Google Talk: TLDR: I won't be returning to Harbour Nails & Spa.

I'm pretty confident they won't miss me, a client they've never had. I'm sharing hoping to help someone else from making the same mistake I made and hoping HN does better.

I asked for the latest availability when I rang for an appointment. They gave me 7pm. I explained what I wanted done and confirmed I'll be able to get it. I was reassured.

About seven minutes after coming off the phone, they rang and asked if I could come in for 6pm instead. I told them that would be difficult as I had just made another appointment for a pedi at 6pm. I said I would get there as soon as I finished and asked if that was okay. They said it was.

I went to my other appointment earlier and was seen to immediately so I was able to get to Harbor Nails at 6:15.

When I walked in and I gave my name the lady looked at me like I had fangs coming out of my mouth. I repeated my name and my appointment time 7pm but that I was asked to come in earlier. She still looked clueless. She started scrolling through her phone. After a minute of me just standing there I asked if there was a problem.

She said she won't be able to do my nails today. I responded rather stoically, "you called and asked me to come in earlier, I changed things around and now you're saying my appointment is cancelled?" She just looked at me. I showed her my call log asking "is this your number?"  She said yes. "Well that's the number that rang and requested that I get here as soon as I could." She kept staring at me.

I tried again, "so you won't be able to see me for my APPOINTMENT TODAY?" She said no. I replied "okay thank you"  and I turned and started walking out. She shouted after me, (not rudely just loudly)"YOU COME BACK SEVEN!"

Huh?

I was extremely annoyed. What a waste of time. I came all the way to this side of town thinking they honoured their appointments.

A few minutes later. Ring Ring "Hello" "Hello did you call?" The voice on my line asked. It was a different voice than the lady I interacted with at the shop. I said no I didn't call again but asked why they cancelled my appointment without informing me. She said it wasn't cancelled they just pushed it back because they have to take walk-ins. I know how this works. I'm not against you making your money. However this isn't the way you make potential customers WITH APPOINTMENTS feel. All you had to do was pick up the phone. She asked if I was coming back. I told her it was okay I'll be taking my business elsewhere.

I left the shop and walked across the street to the plaza searching my phone for another spot when I found INSPIRE NAILS in the same plaza I was at! Under new management with a shop as dazzling as they are nice. I was happy! As I was leaving inspire with my nails looking all pretty and crisp, I had my Pretty Woman Moment. I held my hand up to HARBOUR NAILS and said "BIG MISTAKE, HUGE. (I play way too much). Mike at the brand new INSPIRE NAILS is now MY NAIL GUY!

To be clear, I cannot speak on their nail techniques because I wasn't able to have a service...

Dear Harbor Nail House Owner - The tech who did my services moved 3 days later to another state. And I called the office to discuss a possible fix and was told " we dont issues refunds or redo services due to customer complaints unless its at time of service, or within 24 hours". So i did try to give the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you should speak to your team about what they say when they are answering the phone. I wouldve loved to come in and have it redone

UPDATE AUGUST 2025 - 08/09 Service done. Typing this 8 days after appointment on the 17th. Its now the 18th and all my hails have fallen off. NEVER COMING HERE AGAIN. I tried this salon again after I heard they had new management and I had a great experience during the appointment. My tech was amazing, very professional, kind great listening ear and we vibed so well I got her phone number so we could stay in touch . But unfortunately about 2 days later I noticed my hair getting caught in my nails , and I noticed both my thumb nails are already coming up but I put some nail glue on them and kept it moving . Well it’s now been 8 days and I have lose 3 nails on my left hand and my thumb is about to fall off on my right hand . And multiple nails are pulling . I am very disappointed. $130 plus $20 tip and less than 2 weeks after my service I’m about to soak my hands to remove the rest of the nails . My toes still look amazing. But I’m very upset about wasting my money .

2023- I have went here alot in the last few months ( minus holiday season to save money) because they are local and a lovely salon And i usually have a nice guy who does my gel mani and pedi. Well the last 2 times, ( last visit was 10 days ago) I had a different older woman do my nails and eye brows ( only brows the first visit) And my eye brows did NOT match. She cut my cuticles each time and my nails are crooked ( NOT MY FINGER) And the nails are literally lifting already! I work on a computer so my nails aren't abused or anything, and i spend $100+ each time and i always tip no matter what because i love this salon but its been 10 days and i have 3 nails already lifting and they are literally getting caught on EVERYTHING. I left a google message and a Facebook message and haven't gotten any response. I tried calling the salon and when i asked for a manager the girl acted like she couldn't hear me all of a sudden. I will NOT be back and that makes me sad because other than these last 2 visits its been perfect. But im done giving chances and spending $100+ for...

I don’t know where to begin. I made an appointment for 4:30 today with Jessica. She came down from their break room & didn’t greet me, introduce herself- nothing. She asked what I wanted & got started. Fine. The shape was satisfactory, but the cuticle clipping (which was painful & unsanitary) was a bit much- but I’m bad at speaking up so that’s my bad. I chose my color/design- this is NOT turquoise like I asked… which was only revealed at the end of my service when the topcoat was applied. I digress- the black gel polish was CLEARLY old, and she continued to use it even after it bubbled & wouldn’t dry several times. She re-started these nails COUNTLESS times, even thanking me for my patience. Finally it was done, and she handed me the card machine & rushed off to the next customer. Once I saw my nails in daylight, I was extremely frustrated. They are sloppy & look like I did them myself. Not to mention, just a few hours later, they started PEELING OFF because the coat didn’t dry… shocker. I have an event tomorrow I wanted to look nice for, and will not have time to go and have these fixed. Definitely will not return, and I will be asking for a refund. VERY disappointed.

EDIT: I left this review at the time of my nails peeling off, so a couple hours after leaving the salon. I also left a message to their Instagram. The next morning, I was texted and offered a fix and was able to have the manager re-do them for me in a simple gel color. She offered a refund for the $15 of art, which I asked her to apply as tip for herself (as she was not the stylist who was paid for my nails originally). Therefore, I was going to come here today to edit my review when I noticed the response. I will state that: 1) I was not aware of a design option on the website, and 2) the "demeanor" was noted prior to showing what I wanted for my nails, and would not be deemed acceptable regardless. She did warm up as the service went on, but I was not expecting that response to my concerns. At no point in the service was I told about booking art, and would have happily accepted a pain color if it was an issue/ I made a mistake. I digress- my nails were repainted & I am happy with the...